14 May 2026 12:00am–11:59pm
On Thursday, 14 May UNISON branches will be supporting the TUC endorsed workplace day of action for Palestine. Branches and activists are encouraged to take part in actions to demand a permanent ceasefire, an end to the occupation, respect for international law and for a viable Palestinian state alongside Israel. Branches are also encouraged to promote the next PSC national demonstration on Saturday 16 May in London.
UNISON is calling on the UK government to:
- Ban trade with the illegal settlements;
- Suspend the arms trade and the UK-Israel trade and partnership agreement until international law and human rights are respected;
- Call for the state of Palestine to be recognised by the United Nations, contributing to a two-state solution;
- Ensure that international law is fully respected;
- Call for reconstruction in Gaza to be Palestinian led, involve trade unions, and deliver decent work and quality public services.
The devastation in Gaza over the last 31 months has been extraordinary. Over 72,300 Palestinians have been killed and more than 172,100 injured in a situation described as genocide by a UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry. Healthcare and other critical public services have been decimated and 81 percent of structures and homes and 89 percent of water and sanitation infrastructure destroyed or damaged. Despite the fragile ceasefire, airstrikes, shelling and gunfire have continued, with at least 736 Palestinians reportedly killed and 2,035 injured since the ceasefire began. Palestinians in the West Bank have also been severely affected, with a huge escalation in settler attacks, continued military attacks, thousands displaced, homes demolished, severe restrictions on freedom of movement and an unprecedented expansion of the illegal settlements.
The day of action takes place on the eve of Nakba Day, commemorating the 1948 Nakba (catastrophe), during which approximately 750,000 Palestinians were displaced from their homes to Gaza, the West Bank and the wider Middle East. Today there are approximately 5.9 million refugees.
On the day of action branches are encouraged to:
- Take part in a photo action calling for an end to the illegal occupation of Palestinian territory, an end to the genocide in Gaza and respect for international law;
- Write to your local MP to promote UNISON’s demands (above);
- Fundraise in support of the critical work of Medical Aid for Palestinians;
- Hold a meeting with a speaker from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC);
- Call for ethical investment and procurement that respects human and workers’ rights and international law. And call for pension funds to divest from companies that sell arms used in violations of international law and companies on the UN list of businesses involved in the illegal settlements.
- Promote the PSC national demonstration on 16 May. https://palestinecampaign.org/events/nakba-78-march-for-palestine/
For more information see the UNISON Ceasefire Now guide.
